We’ve all been there. Waiting in the car shop for our vehicle to finish being serviced and wondering to ourselves, “Why didn’t I take it in sooner?” Car maintenance is important no matter what the make, model, or year of the vehicle is. But where exactly do you start? We’re answering some the most common questions customers like you have when it comes to car maintenance.

Alan from Cypress asks:“I have a new vehicle and want to start a maintenance schedule. How often should I take the car in?”

Each car, truck, van, and SUV lists the times and mileage intervals for maintenance, inspections, and part replacements in their respective handbooks. Some are shorter and require you to bring your vehicle in more often, whereas others allow you to bring your vehicle in less frequently. If your vehicle has internal alerts, listen to them when they alert you of any issue. If you can’t find your car’s maintenance schedule, contact us, and we’ll help you locate it.

Henry from Sugar Land asks: “What are the parts of the car that require the most maintenance attention?”

Any part of your car can benefit from maintenance, but some parts require service more often than others. Here are some of the most common maintenance services:

Joelle from Pearland asks:“When do I know it’s time to change my wiper blades?”

Wiper blades replacement is subject to several factors. Did you know the biggest factor is where you live? Heat can wear on the rubber of the blades. If you live in hotter climates (like Houston) this can contribute to changing wiper blades more frequently. The general rule of thumb, though, is if the blade smears water instead of repelling it. If so, it’s time to replace them.

Justin from Katy asks: “How can I tell if my bulb is out before I start driving at night?”

First, identify the exact bulb. Today’s vehicles have more bulbs than just the headlights and taillights. Even vehicles with long-lasting LED bulbs need to be replaced at some point. Newer vehicles have sensors to alert you of a bulb outage, but with some cars boasting over a 100 different bulbs, having an alert for each one isn’t possible. Before you drive off, check the exterior and interior of your vehicle for any lights that could be out. Most lights can be changed at your convenience, but critical exterior lights need to be changed immediately for the safety of yourself and others.

Ashley from The Woodlands asks:“Does maintenance really pay off in the long run?”

The best examples of maintenance come from oil changes. Let’s say you’re changing your oil every 4,000 miles (the standard for most vehicles), and it costs about $25 each time. Once your car reaches 100,000 miles, you’ll have spent about $625 in oil changes. It seems like a lot. But when you compare that to an engine replacement of about $4,000, the timely oil changes are a welcome cost.

No matter what maintenance questions you have, the answer is always that maintenance works. Keeping your vehicle running longer requires a proactive attitude toward your car’s health. If you’ve got a question about your vehicle that needs answering, contact Colony One and we’ll help you get on the right track to vehicle maintenance.

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About Us

Sam Tate's Colony One Auto Center offers a wide variety of auto repairs and maintenance for your automotive needs. Our staff has over 250 years of collective experience that is put to work for you the moment you walk in the door. Our expert staff will interpret your needs or concerns and find the fastest, most efficient way to meet your needs. If you have any questions about our automobile service and repairs don't hesitate to contact us today.